A bankruptcy attorney can help protect you from debt collectors and get you back on your feet. They will also ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time. They will also be familiar with the local court procedures and bankruptcy trustees.
The New York Bankruptcy Lawyers at Charles Juntikka & Associates derive real satisfaction from using their knowledge of New York bankruptcy law to help people get a fresh start.
Experience
A bankruptcy attorney should help guide you through the entire process from evaluating whether bankruptcy is even an option for you to filing and completing your case. They will also take a critical look at your debts and assets to determine which ones the court will discharge and which are still valid. They will help you properly value your property and shield it as much as possible according to state laws.
The attorneys at Charles Juntikka & Associates are well-versed in New York Bankruptcy law and have extensive experience filing consumer and business bankruptcy cases. They get great satisfaction from helping people and businesses regain their financial footing and eliminate debts that can’t be paid.
When choosing a bankruptcy attorney, you should ask how many cases they’ve handled and which type of bankruptcy they specialize in. A good lawyer will have a strong familiarity with the 500 pages of federal bankruptcy code. They should also be able to explain why your particular situation is best served by this legal procedure.
Reputation
If your potential attorney has a reputation for being unreliable or hard to work with, you may want to look elsewhere. This is particularly important for someone who is handling a case related to bankruptcy. This type of legal proceeding is complex, and there are many laws that must be followed. A good bankruptcy lawyer will make you feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.
A bankruptcy attorney should also be familiar with local laws and procedures. This is because the statutes and court personnel tend to vary from one area to the next. To find local experts, you can check with your state bar association. They often maintain a list of attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy law. You can also ask friends and family members for recommendations or use online resources such as the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Choosing the right bankruptcy attorney can mean the difference between getting a fresh start and remaining mired in debt.
Fees
Depending on the complexity of your case, bankruptcy can be expensive. For instance, you may be required to undergo credit counseling prior to filing. This costs money, but many agencies are willing to waive the fee if you’re unable to pay.
You’ll also have to pay fees just to file for bankruptcy, which vary from judicial district to judicial district and state to state. Adding to that cost is the fact that attorneys charge for their time, and the more complicated your case, the more time it will take.
In order to prevent bankruptcy debtors from overpaying for legal services, the federal court has established a standard fee schedule that’s presumptively valid. These fees cover everything from the cost to file for bankruptcy to the fee charged for conducting a search of bankruptcy records. The court also requires that attorneys disclose their compensation to creditors, which protects debtors from depriving them of property before they file.
Communication
Your lawyer should remain open and willing to answer questions at any point during the bankruptcy process. This will help you understand the protections that bankruptcy offers and keep you up to date on where your case stands.
Your attorney should also provide valuable advice to help you make the right decision for your situation. They may recommend filing for bankruptcy, but they should also explore alternatives like debt settlement to see if you can solve your problem through less drastic means.
The questionnaire asked judges about their experience with issues involving standards analogous to ABA Model Rules 1.6 (confidentiality) and 1.15 (safekeeping of client property). One or more incidences of these issues arose in bankruptcy court at a rate of just over 70%, or 151 of the 247 judges who responded to that question.